Understanding how to prepare and paint a room is a fantastic skill set for anyone wanting to cut down on the costs of decorating by doing it themselves.

While painting a room is the type of DIY job that most people can tackle with some basic-level skills, there is one aspect that many find particularly frustrating…cutting-in. 

The art of cutting-in is essential in creating clean, crisp lines when painting. While it may be a time-consuming practice, taking the care to complete this first step properly will make all the difference when it comes to the finished product. It’ll also make painting the rest of the room considerably more straightforward. 

For anyone who is gearing up to tackle their own DIY decorating project, below is an easy-to-follow, step-by-step guide on how to properly cut-in when painting. 

A step-by-step guide to cutting-in when painting

  1. Before you start any painting, you’ll want to make sure your room is prepared and protected from any wayward splatter. Remove furniture, decorations and anything else that might get in the way, and cover your floors with dust sheets. 
  2. You’ll also want to make sure all surfaces are clean and smooth. If there are any notable cracks or damage, now is a good time to fill them in. It’s also worth running a vacuum cleaner around to get rid of any excess dust, and using sugar soap to clean any significant dirt marks. 
  3. Use masking or decorator's tape to cover fixtures like light switches and plug sockets. Then, run the tape across the edges where the painted wall will meet non-painted areas. Ensuring the tape is properly stuck down will help you to avoid paint bleed — you can use credit card to burnish the tape, firmly pressing it down along the edges and sealing any potential gaps. 
  4. Now, it’s time to paint. It’s worth investing in a good-quality, angled cutting-in brush — these make the process much easier than using a standard square brush. 
  5. Mix your paint according to its instructions and your desired look (i.e. decide whether you need a prime coat).
  6. Dip your brush in the paint and make sure it isn’t overly saturated, otherwise you’ll be dealing with paint dripping from it as you move around. 
  7. Paint along the edges in a smooth, steady motion. People often make the mistake of going too slow, meaning arms become wobbly, or painting in tiny segments, increasing the number of strokes with which mistakes can be made. Each person will be different; it’s all about finding a rhythm that feels comfortable. Keep a damp cloth nearby so you can quickly wipe away any mishaps. 
  8. Once you have finished cutting in, remove your tape to reveal your sharp, freshly-painted edges. The rest of the surface should now be ready to paint! 
  9. If you are applying multiple coats, remove the tape between each before it dries and reapply following the same method before starting the next layer of paint. 

Do I need to apply tape when cutting in?

For those confident in their painting skills, there is no strict rule that says you have to apply tape before cutting-in. If you prefer to cut-in without tape, the steps to follow are the exact same as above in terms of preparation, you can just ignore the bits about applying and removing the decorator's tape. 

If you are cutting-in without tape, we definitely recommend investing in a decent angled brush to maximise accuracy. Painting away from the edges is also a good way to reduce the chances of mistakes. 

If you’re looking to build up the skills and confidence needed to comfortably take on your own painting and decorating jobs, then an introductory course taught by a time-served professional is a great investment that will equip you with lifelong skills. If you’d like to find out more, you can do so here.